kickhaltsforlife

I was talking about brass. But right on with what you said. I'm excited for this battle though. It's still plenty early for a lot to happen. I mean we aren't even at the first regional yet! Ahhh! So exciting!

FWIW... me and only one other person clapped for BD in the movie theater showing of prelims last season. So I am not the worst "hater" out there.

Well I thought Crown was overall the better corps in 2009 and 2012. Last year I thought BD deserved the win was maybe 2007.. could see that going either way between BD and Cadets. I thought 2003 was very deserving. Kick ### show.

I've been crying since 2007! Why should I stop now?

Love seeing SCV not to far behind!

Oh, please forgive DCI if a corps with widespread fan appeal actually wins a competition. Please.

I agree with this. Especially about Cavies. I just don't see why BDs drill was rewarded just because it was clean. Clean does not always equal effective. Clean can make something more effective, but it doesn't make something effective that isn't to begin with.

Look at that percussion caption!

I tried that last week.

Basically.. if you aren't BD or a fan of BD.. the judges suck. Hahaha

We seriously need GOOD new young blood in this activity!

BDs drill looks hard? If that is what you are saying? Honestly it is harder than it comes off as. I'll admit that. But it's no where near the level of the corps around them. Especially when it comes to simultaneous responsibility. It's smart drill. For the old sheets. That BD is still writing to... and the the judges are still rewarding. Their drill has zero effect. It's just random arcs and blobs on the field. Run to scatter form something. Form something burst into scatter! OOOOOO A BLOCK! But that's dirty....OH NO ANOTHER SCATTER!!!! Run to the sideline form a blob and BLOW PAST YOUR HORN! Blah.. I could go on. But I digress for now. I seriously don't mean to turn everything I post about BD into a negative post. I guess I should follow the "If you don't have anything nice to say than don't say it at all!" right? Meh... no.

We are talking about DCI judging right??? I HAVE NO HOPE!

Whatever you do. DO NOT sleep on Cadets hornline. Crown might not be able to clean their book enough. Yeah, Crown's demand is through the roof. And they will get credit for that.. but only as much as it is clean. Cadets have different types of demand.. but they are also right on par if not ahead of Crown right now BD is also no sleeper in any music caption.

Not surprised.. especially with the judges on hand...

What are you talking about! It's the Crossman Drum Band from YEA!, Pennsylvania!

I will never understand why less than stellar crowd reaction is acceptable for DCIs winningest drum corps. Most the crowd stands for Pioneer too.. just saying. But when we all complain when BD wins at the end of the season.. when we say it isn't entertaining to most.. we get told we are dumb and don't know anything about drum corps. (sorry.. I just watched their Walnut show again on FN.. got even more ###### off that this show is doing well in any design caption, ESPECIALLY VISUAL, ugh)

It's really not even early season dirt though... it's a bad basic foundation of brass playing. Ensemble timing doesn't even exist. It is concerning.. especially for a show this achievable.

First off I really do appreciate the effort Jersey Surf has been putting into being fan friendly the past couple of years. They get the toe tapping and they are 100% about the audience. Fun stuff! I know it is early... and they don't rehearse as much as other World Class corps.. but they have to be better than that out of the gate. There has to be some excellence on the music side of things. It is rough. Horns with really immature uncharacteristic sounds, drums not anywhere near in sync with each other. Ensemble wise, it is a complete mess, I wonder how they even stay together without an ensemble tear. It is just disappointing, especially with the best vet retention they've had in quite some time, that it seems like they may have taken a step backwards in the performance department. And I am not blaming the kids at all. This is 100% on the staff as far as I am concerned. They are not using proper teaching techniques. They are not giving them the correct information, the basics. It sounds like a free for all on the field right now. And that is not World Class drum corps. And is is really keeping me from enjoying the show at this point. Surf.. I love ya. But you gotta do better than that.

Personally.. I don't have a huge problem with it. It is annoying.. but the cost saving is important. What is more annoying is the judges themselves.. they really need to FITFO, and actually read the sheets and what they are supposed to be judging.

Crown sometimes has had their levels a little messed up... but the use of synth has been pretty respectable for the most part for me. There has never been anything where I was up in arms or just thought it sounded plane bad. Some tasteful features over the years, too, Nick. I appreciate that the Crown synth players aren't just sitting there playing potato notes and samples the entire show.

Love to see SCV being talked about medaling for real again. Now here is a question.. .which corps... Cadets, Crown, or BD falls out of the top 3 to make room for SCV? I know who my vote would be. But it is still hard to think about.

I really wish I could go too! Once I actually have a somewhat normal job, every year I'd like to take a trip up the area for the show and parade. Hopefully Crossmen will be back there next year. They did the mid-west tour this year for a change. They have been dong the parade for quite some time according to the alumni. I feel like when one the east corps is missing it's not quite the same event. With Crown and Crossmen missing from the east coast early this season it has definitely been different. But there is still plenty to love!

Love the whole Bristol experience. Crossmen consistently have stayed at the show site. Usually flooded out practice fields.. but BOX 5 showers if i remember right. The grass my first year was pretty bad. The second year, not so much because it was wet (or mud by the time the Cadets went on). It is a pretty crappy stadium for a show.. but the crowd is aways electric. Marching on that field does suck though. Especially nowadays when almost all shows are on turf or low grass and just don't get as much practice marching through the grass. The parade is great. The crowd loves the corps. It was always great to hear the crowd roaring for Crown up ahead when they turned to the side.. then we would do the same thing and jsut blow their faces off. Heard it a fun parade to be on staff.. you often get invited in for a beer at many of the house. Real rowdy crowd.. but a ton of fun. Wakefield(?) is always a nice parade too. I know all the corps in the parade would set up their food trucks all in the same lot and you could go around to any truck and just pig out. All I can say is Boston gets fed right!!! Then you have the fireworks at night.. cute little downtown area. Nice ice cream place. I loved the 4th when I marched. Nice break from the daily grind of your show.